Page 3

Ottawa has its own agenda in the quest for Native self-government and can no longer be trusted, the Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations said.

In a surprising turn-around, Ovide Mercredi slammed Jean Chretiens' Liberals for falsely recognizing Natives' inherent right to self-government during a speech against racism on March 3 in Edmonton.

Page 3

Ottawa has its own agenda in the quest for Native self-government and can no longer be trusted, the Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations said.

In a surprising turn-around, Ovide Mercredi slammed Jean Chretiens' Liberals for falsely recognizing Natives' inherent right to self-government during a speech against racism on March 3 in Edmonton.

Page 3

Ottawa has its own agenda in the quest for Native self-government and can no longer be trusted, the Grand Chief of the Assembly of First Nations said.

In a surprising turn-around, Ovide Mercredi slammed Jean Chretiens' Liberals for falsely recognizing Natives' inherent right to self-government during a speech against racism on March 3 in Edmonton.

Page 3

The Native Council of Canada's annual assembly ended with a new leader, a new name and an important political accord with the federal government.

Jim Sinclair, as past president of the Metis Nation of Saskatchewan, was elected president of the council, renamed the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples, at a convention in Ottawa Feb. 26 to 28.

The 60-year-old Sinclair defeated former president Ron George and Native Council of Canada (Alberta) head Doris Ronnenberg in two ballots following an emotional speech before more than 200 delegates.

Page 2

The Labrador Innu are disappointed with Ottawa's most recent offer to relocate the community of Davis Inlet.

Innu Nation president Peter Penashue and Davis Inlet Chief Katie Rich said they were not completely happy with Ottawa's response to their demands to move the beleaguered community to a new site.

"We have sent a letter to the minister clearly setting out our concerns with the document," Penashue said. "But even with our differences, we still want to get on with the work."

Page 2

The Labrador Innu are disappointed with Ottawa's most recent offer to relocate the community of Davis Inlet.

Innu Nation president Peter Penashue and Davis Inlet Chief Katie Rich said they were not completely happy with Ottawa's response to their demands to move the beleaguered community to a new site.

"We have sent a letter to the minister clearly setting out our concerns with the document," Penashue said. "But even with our differences, we still want to get on with the work."

Page 2

The Labrador Innu are disappointed with Ottawa's most recent offer to relocate the community of Davis Inlet.

Innu Nation president Peter Penashue and Davis Inlet Chief Katie Rich said they were not completely happy with Ottawa's response to their demands to move the beleaguered community to a new site.

"We have sent a letter to the minister clearly setting out our concerns with the document," Penashue said. "But even with our differences, we still want to get on with the work."

Page 2

The Labrador Innu are disappointed with Ottawa's most recent offer to relocate the community of Davis Inlet.

Innu Nation president Peter Penashue and Davis Inlet Chief Katie Rich said they were not completely happy with Ottawa's response to their demands to move the beleaguered community to a new site.

"We have sent a letter to the minister clearly setting out our concerns with the document," Penashue said. "But even with our differences, we still want to get on with the work."

Page 2

A struggle for financial control of the Metis National Council, which erupted early last month, has ended in the dismissal of one of the organization's regional directors.

Gerald Morin, leader of both the national council and the Saskatchewan Metis Nation, and Metis Nation of Alberta president Gerald Thom fired Pacific Metis Federation director, Norman Evans, Feb. 23 over what Morin called "administration and financial matters."

"It was necessary that we remove him as a director," Morin said.

Page 2

Ottawa's 1994 budget appears to be a "good news story" for Canada's Natives, Indian Affairs' finance director general said.

The main estimates in funding to the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs in federal Finance Minister Paul Martin's Feb. 22 budget were slightly more than $5 billion, a net increase of almost $400 million, said Bill Austin.

The First Nations will also see an increase of about $256 million to support Indian, Inuit and Innu funding for essential services.